Soph & Oli take on the Leeds Half for SarcoidosisUK
Raising money for SarcoidosisUK
Story
In 2021, at only 33, Oli was diagnosed with a rare and largely unknown autoimmune disease called Sarcoidosis (you can learn more about it here). Siblings Sophie and Oliver have decided to run the Leeds Half Marathon in May to raise much needed funds and awareness for the wonderful charity SarcoidosisUK.
You'd be forgiven for having never heard of Sarcoidosis, we hadn't either before Oli's diagnosis. Essentially it's a condition where lumps ('granulomas') can form on any of the organs in the body, and if enough grow in one place they can prevent that organ from working properly. It can affect EVERY organ in the body.
Oli's story:
I was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis in 2021, initially after a misdiagnosis of skin cancer. It’s a sufficiently rare disease that I’d never heard of it before and couldn’t actually remember what it was called as soon as I’d hung up the phone. I had to ring back to ask! Mine seems to have followed a fairly ‘normal’ path, with lung and skin involvement. There are periods of fatigue that I’ve learned to deal with, recognising the signs and taking it easy before it sets in seems to help.
I am acutely aware of the fact that in comparison to other sufferers, I am lucky to be in a position to confidently take on a half marathon. Those who know me will appreciate that the prospect of potentially losing the ability to play sport to any kind of level due to an incurable disease is very unnerving. I am grateful to my sister, Sophie, for taking the lead on this effort to raise as much money and awareness for SarcoidosisUK as possible.
There is no cure
We have decided to run the Leeds Half Marathon together in May for SarcoidosisUK - you can read more about their work below. Currently there is no cure for this disease and there is no government funding either, so we are trying to do what we can whilst we can.
We both thank you very much for your support!
Soph & Oli x
From SarcoidosisUK:
Sarcoidosis is a rare disease and has poor information, support and little research for finding a cure. We work to change that. Our 4 goals are; providing information, providing support, raising awareness and funding research.
None of our work is possible without donations. We receive no government money and are 100% reliant on your generosity. Any donation, big or small, makes a huge difference to our ability to help others. Thank you!
Team members (2)
- £1,470 of £500
- £1,074 of £500
